Reye Syndrome - Topic Overview

What is Reye syndrome?

Reye syndrome is a rare but
serious disease that most often affects children ages 6 to 12 years old. It can
cause brain swelling and liver damage. It may be related to using
aspirin to treat viral infections.

Reye
syndrome can lead to brain damage, liver damage, and death. But if the disease
is found and treated early, most children recover from Reye syndrome in a
few weeks and have no lasting problems.

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What causes Reye syndrome?

Experts don't know what
causes Reye syndrome. It often happens in children who have recently had
chickenpox or
the flu and who took medicines that contain
aspirin.

Reye syndrome cannot spread from child to child.

What are the symptoms?

Reye syndrome often starts
when a child is recovering from a viral illness, such as the flu or
chickenpox. Symptoms usually
appear 3 to 7 days after the viral illness starts. They may develop over
several hours to a day or two.